Overhead support apparatus for a multi-purpose operating room

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is disclosed for supporting two or more overhead medical instruments in a single operating room such that each medical instrument can be moved between an operating position in proximity of the patient table and a stored position out of proximity of the patient table so as not to hamper access to the patient. The apparatus includes a set of primary rails connected to the ceiling and at least two support carriages engaging the primary rails such that the support carriages can be moved in a longitudinal direction across the length of the operating room. Each support carriage includes an overhead medical instrument mounted to a trolley which can be moved along the support carriage in a lateral direction across the width of the operating room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for managing the useable space in a medical operating room. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support carriage apparatus for suspending and mobilizing a plurality of overhead medical instruments in an operating room to increase footprint floor space efficiency and to facilitate different surgical procedures in a single operating room.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In the surgical medicine field, floor space is a critical parameter in the overall design of an balance of utility and versatility. Particularly, the placement of medical tools and instruments in proximity of the patient must be done with consideration given to keeping the immediate area around the patient free from obstructing the surgeon's access to the patient.

[0005] In the past, mounting medical instruments to mobile floor stands has been common practice in the operating room. However, floor stand instruments tend to clutter the operating room and take up valuable space thereby limiting patient access and even becoming an obstacle to the surgeon. Accordingly, overhead supported instruments—such as the ceiling-mounted microscope described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,566,872, assigned on its face to J. D. Moller Optische Werke GmbH—have become a useful means to address spatial concerns in an operating theatre.

[0006] However, while ceiling-mounted tools help to maximize spatial efficiency, operating room versatility is necessarily sacrificed. For example, the ceiling-mounted microscope disclosed by the '872 patent is fixed in place above the patient table thereby strictly limiting the use of the operating room to microsurgery procedures. Therefore, medical procedures which require a different overhead tool—such as a lighting system for plastic surgery procedures—must be performed in another operating theatre.

[0007] Besides the ceiling-mounted instrument disclosed by the '872 patent, other systems have been devised which provide a somewhat mobile ceiling support from which a single medical instrument is suspended. U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,854, to Geza J. Jako, discloses a surgical laser system comprising a laser delivery device and a microscope. The laser system is suspended from a set of X rails and Y rails which allow the operator to adjust the position of the laser beams in the horizontal plane above a patient on an operating table.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,817, assigned on its face to Schroer Manufacturing Company, discloses a locking carriage mechanism to support a surgical lamp on a track mounted to the ceiling of an operating room. The track provides a path on which the lamp can be moved along a single axis to provide lighting to areas as dictated by the positioning of the surgeon and the patient.

[0009] While the laser beam positioning device of the '854 patent and the lamp track of the '817 patent may facilitate adapting a single medical instrument or tool to the particular needs of a single surgical procedure, these devices fail to address the operating room versatility problem created by employing ceiling-mounted overhead devices. Particularly, these devices fail to provide: (1) means for supporting a plurality of overhead medical instruments in a single operating room, and (2) means for moving each instrument between a position near the patient to facilitate a particular surgical procedure and a position away from the patient such that another instrument can be brought near the patient to facilitate a completely different surgical procedure.

[0010] Accordingly, the surgical medicine field would find desirable a support apparatus for suspending at least two overhead medical instruments in an operating room and which allows a first instrument to be moved between an operating position located near the target patient during a particular surgical procedure and a stored position located away from the patient such that a second instrument can be brought into position near the patient during a different surgical procedure. This novel and useful result has been achieved by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is directed toward a support apparatus for facilitating the operation, mobilization, and storage of a plurality of overhead medical instruments in a single operating room. Particularly, the support apparatus provides a means by which at least two overhead medical instruments can be suspended from the ceiling of an operating room such that each instrument is moveable between an operating position where the instrument is in proximity of the patient table to facilitate a particular surgical procedure and a stored position where the instrument is out of proximity of the patient table so that a second overhead medial instrument can be moved into the operating position.

[0012] An embodiment of the support apparatus of the present invention includes a set of primary rails connected to the ceiling and spanning approximately the longitudinal length of the operating room. The set of primary rails facilitates longitudinal translation of at least two support carriages. Each support carriage carries an overhead medical instrument and engages the set of primary rails such that the carriage may be moved longitudinally along the primary rails. Each support carriage includes a set of secondary rails spanning approximately the lateral width of the operating room. The set of secondary rail facilitates lateral translation of an overhead medical instrument. The medical instrument is mounted to a trolley which engages the set of secondary rails such that the instrument may be moved laterally along the secondary rails.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, each support carriage includes a set of wheels which engage the set of primary rails to facilitate longitudinal translation of the support carriage and thus the overhead medical instrument. Moreover, each trolley holding the medical instrument includes a set of wheels which engage the set of secondary rails of the support carriage to facilitate longitudinal translation of the trolley and thus the overhead medical instrument.

[0014] In still another embodiment of the present invention, each support carriage may be locked by the operator to prevent longitudinal translation of the overhead medical instrument, and each trolley may be locked by the operator to prevent lateral translation of the overhead medical instrument.

[0015] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the support apparatus includes a first support carriage for carrying a surgical microscope and a second support carriage for carrying a surgical lighting system.

[0016] It is an object and feature of the present invention to provide a translating support apparatus for holding a plurality of overhead medical instruments in a single operating room such that the operating room may be utilized for a greater variety of surgical procedures than if only one overhead medical instrument was fixed in place over the patient table.

[0017] It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide a translating support apparatus that may easily be maneuvered by the operator to move the attached medical instruments into proximity of the patient and when finished into a stored position away from the patient.

[0018] It is still another object and feature of the present invention to provide an overhead gantry system which provides the surgeon with the flexibility to position the surgical bed in any desired location or orientation within the confines of the operating room without limitations normally imposed by bulky floor standing equipment or fixed overhead equipment. Accordingly, the surgeon may position the patient and the operating table in the optimal location for himself or herself, the assistants, surgical instrument tables, and ancillary equipment without restrictions. Once the patient and table are positioned, the gantry system may be employed to move the overhead equipment itself to achieve the desired target location. The gantry system prevents an overhead medical instrument from becoming an impediment or a determining factor in setting up an operating room. Moreover, the gantry system actually increases the flexibility of an operating room by allowing a wide range of convenient arrangements to suit the individual surgeon's needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In the accompanying drawings:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an operating room with an embodiment of the multi-purpose support system installed in accordance with the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view of the operating room and multi-purpose support system of FIG. 1 depicting a lighting system support carriage for use with plastic surgery operations.

[0022]FIG. 2A is an enlarged elevation view of the structural connection and rolling track for the lighting system support carriage shown in FIG. 2.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view of the operating room and multi-purpose support system of FIG. 1 depicting a microscope support carriage for use with microsurgery operations.

[0024]FIG. 3A is an enlarged elevation view of the structural connection and rolling track for the microscope support carriage shown in FIG. 3.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a plan view of an operating room illustrating the first medical instrument in the operating position and the second medical instrument in the stored position.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a plan view of an operating room illustrating the second medical instrument in the operating position and the first medical instrument in the stored position.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

[0027] The following illustrative description of the present invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of the invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to any specific form. In the specification and appended claims: (1) the terms “connect,” “connecting,” “connection,” or “connected” are used to mean “in direct connection with” or “in connection with via another element”; and (2) the term “set” is used to mean “one” or “more than one”. Moreover, the term “medical instrument” is used to mean any instrument, tool, device, or machinery used to facilitate a medical operation or surgical procedure which may be suspended at a location above the patient.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention includes a support device 10 for suspending and transporting two overhead medical instruments within a single operating room having an operating table upon which a patient is placed for the purpose of facilitating a surgical procedure. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support device 10 comprises a set of two primary rails 20, and a set of two support carriages 30, 40. The set of primary rails 20 spans across approximately the entire length of the room. The set of support carriages 30, 40 spans across approximately the entire width of the room. While the preferred embodiment of the support device is described and shown as having two primary rails and two support carriages, it is intended that any number of primary rails can be used to support a plurality of carriages.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, each of the primary rails 20 is fabricated from a structural channel beam having a top flange 21 and a bottom flange 22. The top flange 21 is connected to structural ceiling beams 23 which are designed to bear the weight of the support device 10 and suspended medical instruments 50, 60. Each primary rail 20 is attached to the ceiling beams 23 preferably by a set of through-bolts connecting the top flange 21 of the primary rail to bottom flange of the ceiling beam. The primary rails 20 are preferably arranged substantially perpendicular to one another. While the primary rails are described in the preferred embodiment as being attached to the ceiling, it is intended that the primary rails may be connected to the operating room at any location above the operating table including, but not limited to, the ceiling and the walls of the operating room. Furthermore, while the connection in the preferred embodiment is made with through-bolts, it is intended that the primary rails may be attached to the ceiling beams or the walls of the operating room by any conventional means including, but not limited to, welding, rivets, bolts, screws, clasps, ties, snaps, hooks, and latches.

[0030] Each of the support carriages 30,40 includes a set of secondary rails 31,41. Each secondary rail 31, 41 is fabricated from a structural channel beam 31, 41 having a top flange 32, 42 and a bottom flange 33,43. The top flange 32,42 is connected to a set ofwheels 34,44 which engages the bottom flange 22 of a primary support rail 20 such that each support carriage 30, 40 can translate longitudinally across the length of the room. The secondary rails of each support carriage are preferably arranged substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the primary rails. While the preferred embodiment of the support device is described as having primary rails and secondary rails fabricated from structural channels, it is intended that the primary rails can be fabricated from any structural beam shapes including, but not limited to, wide flange, angle, and tubular-beams.

[0031] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 2A, the first support carriage 30 is used to suspend a first overhead medical instrument 50 such as a surgical lamp for facilitating plastic surgery operations. The first medical instrument 50 is mounted to a trolley 51 which includes a set of wheels 52. The wheels 52 of the trolley 51 engage the lower flange 33 of a secondary rail 31 of the support carriage 30 such that the trolley can translate laterally across the width of the room.

[0032] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the second support carriage 40 is used to suspend a second overhead medical instrument 60 such as a microscope device for facilitating microscopic ophthalmic procedures or other microscopic surgical procedures such as hand surgery, otolaryngology, or neurosurgical procedures. Other surgeries requiring a microscope device include, but are not limited to, cataract extraction, corneal transplantation, vitrectomy, and tympanoplasties. The first medical instrument 60 is mounted to a trolley 61 which includes a set of wheels 62. The wheels 62 of the trolley 61 engage the lower flange 43 of a secondary rail 41 of the support carriage 40 such that the trolley can translate laterally across the width of the room.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, to facilitate different surgical procedures—each procedure requiring a unique overhead medical instrument—the first medical instrument 50 can be moved into an operating position while the second medical instrument is moved into a stored position; or, alternatively, the second medical instrument 50 can be moved into an operating position while the first medical instrument is moved into a stored position. For example, if a plastic surgery operation is to be performed, the surgeon or technician can move an overhead surgical lamp 50 in an operating position directly over the patient table 100 or otherwise in proximity of the patient 101. The microscope device 60 can be moved to a stored position in the corner of the operating room and out of proximity of the patient table 100 such that the surgeon's access to the patient 101 is not obstructed during the plastic surgery procedure. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 4.

[0034] Moreover, if a microscopic ophthalmic operation or other microscopic surgical procedure is to be performed, the surgeon or technician can move the microscope device 60 in an operating position directly over the patient table 100 or otherwise in proximity of the patient 101. The surgical lamp 50 can be moved to a stored position in the corner of the operating room and out of proximity of the patient table 100 such that the surgeon's access to the patient 101 is not obstructed during the plastic surgery procedure. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 5.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the support device of the present invention, the displacement of the overhead medical instruments is performed manually by the surgeon or technician. This may be accomplished simply by grasping the medical instrument and maneuvering it to the target location—either in the operating position or the stored position. However, while the preferred embodiment of the support device is described as being operated manually, it is intended that the support device can also be operated by a conventional electric motor driving the wheels of each trolley and each support carriage at the direction of the surgeon or technician.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the support device of the present invention, the primary rails and support carriages are fabricated from metal components. However, it is intended that the primary rails and support carriages can be fabricated from any sturdy material designed to bear the its self-weight and the load of the particular medical instrument suspended beneath including, but not limited to, structural steel, light gage steel, aluminum, high-strength plastic, polymer composite, or any structurally sound combination thereof.

[0037] In another embodiment of the present invention, the support device includes a conventional locking mechanism to prevent the wheels of each trolley and the wheels of each support carriage from rolling. Accordingly, when the overhead medical instrument is successfully moved to the target position, the locking mechanism can be engaged to prevent longitudinal translation, lateral translation, or both longitudinal and lateral translation of the overhead medical instrument. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for use in an operating room with a structural ceiling and having an operating table located therein, said apparatus for supporting a plurality of overhead medical instruments and moving each of said medical instruments between a first position in proximity of the operating table and a second position out of proximity of the operating table, said apparatus comprising: a set of primary rails connected to the operating room at a location above the operating table; and a plurality of support carriages engaging the set of primary rails, said support carriages being moveable in a horizontal direction parallel to the set of primary rails, each support carriage comprising: (i) a set of secondary rails arranged perpendicular to the set of primary rails; and (ii) a trolley engaging the set of secondary rails, said trolley for supporting a medical instrument and being moveable in a horizontal direction parallel to the set of secondary rails.
 2. Apparatus for use in an operating room having a structural ceiling and an operating table located therein, said apparatus comprising: a set of primary rails connected to the ceiling of the operating room and spanning approximately the longitudinal length of the operating room, said primary support rails arranged substantially parallel to one another; and a plurality of support carriages engaging the set of primary rails, each support carriage comprising: (i) a set of secondary rails spanning approximately the longitudinal length of the operating room and arranged substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the set of primary rails; (ii) a first set of wheels for engaging the set of primary rails, said first set of wheels allowing the support carriage to translate longitudinally along the set of primary rails; (iii) a trolley having a second set of wheels for engaging the set of secondary rails, said second set of wheels allowing the trolley to translate laterally along the set of secondary rails; and (iv) a medical instrument mounted to and suspended from the trolley, said medical instrument being moveable between a first position in proximity of the operating table and a second position out of proximity of the operating table.
 3. Apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a means for locking the trolley to prevent the trolley from being moveable in a horizontal direction parallel to the set of secondary rails.
 4. Apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a means for locking each support carriage to prevent each support carriage from being moveable in a horizontal direction parallel to the set of primary rails.
 5. Apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a means for locking each support carriage to prevent each support carriage from being moveable in a horizontal direction parallel to the set of primary rails.
 6. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein the set of primary rails includes exactly two rails and the of secondary rails includes exactly 2 rails, said apparatus comprising a first support carriage and a second support carriage.
 7. Apparatus of claim 6, wherein the medical instrument of the first support carriage is a surgical lamp for facilitating plastic surgery operations.
 8. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein the medical instrument of the second support carriage is a microscope device for performing microscopic surgical procedures. 